Set-top box for every taste: review of NTV-Plus set-top boxes

Since 2021, the satellite television operator NTV-Plus has offered customers new areas of service. Innovations are focused on the needs of subscribers living in apartment buildings in areas with dense multi-storey buildings, where installing a satellite dish is problematic. Nowadays it is possible to watch satellite TV without installing a dish. Similar services are offered by other companies, for example, MTS and Tricolor. A subscriber can connect NTV Plus without a dish using one of two options: using a hybrid receiver or through a special NTV Plus Online service. More details about these methods can be found in the material below.

"Iron" guarantors

Each satellite or cable television provider has a set of subscriber equipment recommended for use.
It is when using it that the operation of services is guaranteed and claims regarding the quality of the service provided are accepted. This is due, among other things, to the need to monitor signal parameters: if they change, the operator checks the functionality of the recommended equipment. If the modifications are fatal and lead to malfunctions of the receivers, then the signal has to be returned to its original state. And, of course, the operator develops its own range of services and must be sure that they are available to the subscriber. For example, sometimes you come across satellite receivers that cannot display the program guide (EPG), but only show information about the current and next events. Another argument in favor of using the recommended equipment is the requirements of copyright holders for content protection. Free handling of it reduces the profits of both the content owners and the operator himself.

What is needed to connect to the service

To connect to satellite television, you must conclude a subscription agreement for the provision of services, purchase and install the necessary equipment (satellite dish, digital terminal, access card). After proper connection and settings, you will receive extensive functionality and a lot of advantages.

In 2021, the company began providing Internet access service to its subscribers. Such access is carried out via two-way satellite communication channels. This technology makes it possible to use the service anywhere within the coverage area of the Express-AMU1 satellite. Currently, the coverage area includes the entire European part of Russia, as well as the Urals and Western Siberia.

To use NTV via the Internet, a satellite is used in the same orbital position as for broadcasting TV programs.

Important! To access the network, receiving equipment alone is not enough; high-quality signal transmission is necessary. Just a TV dish is not enough.

For connection, a production kit (Israel) is used as subscriber equipment.

Scope of delivery and features

The editors were provided with the following models for testing: Sagemcom DSI74 HD, Opentech OHS1740V, NTV-Plus 1 HD VA and NTV-Plus VA1020. All models come with a remote control, batteries for it, an external power supply (12 V) and an HDMI cable. Small differences in configurations are caused by the manufacturer’s desire to please the subscriber. Thus, the Sagemcom DSI74 HD includes a mini-jack-3xRCA adapter. And the VA1020 model has an RCA-RCA cable in the box. In addition, this receiver has one more feature: the hole for connecting an external power supply is smaller in diameter than other receivers. Because of this, the power supplies of other NTV-Plus receivers are not suitable for it. If the power supply fails, this can cause additional problems.

What packages are there and how do they work?

All NTV PLUS channels are divided into several packages. The main connections are:

“Basic” - includes 34 all-Russian, 14 regional, 19 information, 4 children's, 28 entertainment, 20 radio channels, 21 with movies and TV series, 8 music, 19 educational and 11 sports channels.
“Economy” - with 34 all-Russian, 14 regional, 4 information, 3 children's, 7 entertainment, 3 channels with movies and TV series and 3 educational.

Note! You can connect any number of additional thematic packages to them.

There are the following additional thematic packages:

Kino Plus - 16 channels;
"Supersport" - 11;
"HD PLUS" - 41;
“Cognitive” - 17;
"Children's" - 14;
"Entertaining" - 11;
"Musical" - 12;
“Night” - 3;
"Amedia Premium HD" - 3;
“Egoist TV” - 2;
“Cinema Mood” - 4;
"Viasat" - 7;
"Viasat Premium HD" - 6;
“Our Football” - 2.

Remote controls

From left to right: Sagemcom, Opentech, NTV-PLUS 1 HD VA, VA1020

We give the palm of beauty to the Sagemcom remote control, which looks more impressive than its competitors. The control buttons on it are located in places where it is easy to reach with your thumb, and the markings on them are easy to read. The only drawback is the heavy movement of the buttons. Each key must be pressed until it is activated.

The buttons on the Opentech remote control are more pleasant to press, but their small size and excessive number of them do not allow you to use the remote control intuitively. During testing, I constantly had to look at the remote control to find the right button. But the abundance of keys allows you to call almost all functions of the receiver from the remote control without resorting to the menu.

The remote control for the NTV-plus 1 HD VA model, developed by Jiuzhou, turned out to be quite good. It is clear that work has been done on ergonomics. It fits well in the hand, the button travel is pleasant and soft. This is perhaps the best of the remotes, design aside.

But when creating the remote control for the NTV-Plus VA1020 receiver (manufactured by Kaonmedia), the developer went a little overboard by reducing the size and number of buttons. The remote control itself turned out to be quite good, but the vendor emphasized using the receiver menu. It doesn't even have a program guide button.

In general, all remote controls cope with their purpose.

Thickness matters

Another indicator by which we compared receivers was the thickness of the case. The receiver, called a set-top box, is no longer placed directly on the TV. Where should the subscriber place it? If the user has a special TV stand, then it has a niche for TV set-top boxes. however, when the receiver is installed on the bedside table, the receiver should also take a place nearby. In this case, it is advisable to install it between the TV and the bedside table, and if the TV is mounted on a bracket, the receiver is hidden behind the TV. Therefore, modern devices connected to a TV are specially produced in a thin case to fit under the TV, or are connected to an external IR receiver. For some reason, NTV-Plus chose a different path, as a result, each subsequent generation of the receiver is thicker than the previous one. For example, the Sagemcom DSI74 HD can be placed under a TV without any problems with a standard distance from the stand to the bottom edge of the screen, but other models cannot be installed in the same way.

Possible problems and difficulties

At each stage there are difficulties:

it is not possible to adjust the dish so that it reliably catches the signal;
The supplied antenna cable is not long enough;
the receiver finds few channels;
I can’t connect the equipment to the TV, and so on.

To avoid these problems, you should start everything by carefully studying the instructions for the devices. If possible, they hire company representatives who will quickly do everything and give a guarantee, although it will cost a lot.

Setting up NTV Plus is not a difficult task, but it is a responsible task that requires care. During the work, it is necessary to correctly install, secure and direct the satellite dish, and enter the correct data to search for TV channels. If you do not have the skills to work with television equipment, it is better not to risk the safety of the equipment by entrusting this task to specialists.

Sagemcom DSI74 HD

The model has a minimalistic appearance - the black plastic parallelepiped does not attract much attention. But this is not its main task. All interfaces are located on the rear panel. The smart card is completely immersed in the receiver and can be easily removed from it - for this, the manufacturer has provided special recesses on the case.

The menu looks somewhat outdated, although it perfectly conveys all the necessary information to the subscriber. An interesting solution is to change the highlight color of the selected channel depending on its format: SD channels are highlighted in green, and HD channels are highlighted in blue.

NTV-Plus receivers have a convenient function for hiding channels that are not included in the subscriber’s subscription.

Due to the fact that operators continue to increase the number of channels, it is increasingly difficult for the user to understand which of them are available to him for viewing. NTV-Plus set-top boxes allow you to “highlight” unavailable channels or remove them from the list altogether.

From our point of view, the Sagemcom DSI74 HD displays the current time in the program guide in an optimal way. The vertical bar allows you to understand exactly which program is on which channel and how much time is left until it ends. Looking ahead, let's say that in the Opentech model there is a small bright dot for this and the subscriber must mentally complete such a strip himself.

NTV-Plus receivers also allow you to filter programs by genre and category. So, if you wanted to select feature films in the “thriller” category, the receiver will display a table in which it will display programs from various channels that match your request.

Another feature of the operator's receivers is the ability to manage subscriptions directly from the TV screen. To do this, you need to connect the receiver to the Internet and open the “NTV-Plus Portal”, where all manipulations are performed.

All receivers support the “External PVR” function, which allows you to record broadcasts or use the Timeshift function when connecting a USB drive. If the subscriber does not want to use this service, then he can connect a drive with his own content and use the receiver as a media player. Also, all receivers support the display of teletext and subtitles.

Opentech OHS1740V

Made in a metal case, which makes it more presentable. The metal also serves as a heat sink. Therefore, the set-top box becomes slightly warm during operation. To improve ventilation, the manufacturer increased the gap between the bottom of the case and the surface on which the set-top box stands, providing thick rubber feet.

The rear panel is richer than that of the Sagemcom model. The main differences are the presence of a satellite antenna loop output, an S/PDIF connector and an RCA port.

But the smart card is not fully installed. This somewhat spoils the appearance, although it does not affect functionality in any way.

The menu is more modern. It is made in bright colors, although it does not tire the eyes. If the user does not like the preset color scheme, he can choose a design theme to suit his taste. HD channels are not highlighted in color, but most menu functions are duplicated by remote control buttons.

Another interesting feature is the ability to use one HDD both for PVR functions and for storing your own content. When you connect an external USB drive, the receiver will immediately offer to allocate some space for the PVR, and leave the rest of the space for other needs.

Although the Opentech receiver does not have a built-in clock, pressing one button on the remote control displays the current time on the screen. useful for subscribers who watch TV in the morning before work.

The functionality of the set-top box also provides filtering of channels by genres and categories. Interestingly, in the Opentech model there was even a place for simple games that allow you to pass the time while waiting for the broadcast of a particular program.

NTV-PLUS 710HD

Branded receiver from Jiuzhou manufacturer. Equipped with all the necessary ports and functions for working with NTV satellite television. Can be used as a media player.

It can be connected to digital TVs via an HDMI cable, and then the picture resolution is supported up to HD quality. For older models, use RSA cables, also known as “tulips”. Unlike its direct analogue, the Opentech ISB7-VA70 model, no splitters are needed here. The CVBS channels are separate, so no adapters are required.

It is possible to connect an external IR receiver. The receiver itself is not included.

NTV-PLUS 710HD can work as a media player and recorder. External drives are connected to a USB connector, opening up the possibility of reading media files of popular formats, recording broadcasts, and “time shifting”.

Advantages

Supports Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound technology.
Works with HD channels.
Channel scanning is automatic.
Comprehensive set. There are all the necessary cables and even batteries for the remote control.
Connects to both modern and old TVs.
Can replace a media player - data is read from external hard drives.
Supports broadcast recording and time shifting.
Upon purchase, you get 1 year of free access to the Basic package.
Small dimensions and weight.

Flaws

In earlier versions of the firmware, the existing LAN port is not used.
It is not possible to install third-party software and games.
Writing and reading are only possible from external storage media; built-in storage is not possible.
Video playback with resolutions above 1080p is not available.

"NTV-Plus 1 HD VA"

When developing this model, the company clearly paid special attention to the hardware component. The appearance does not cause any significant complaints, except perhaps for the thickness. The durable metal body looks great from all angles. The receiver is covered from the factory with a protective film, so there is no need to be afraid of annoying scratches on the body. the only negative is that the film in some places goes under the plastic panels and it is impossible to completely remove it without opening the case. It is necessary to remove the film, as it covers the ventilation holes.

The design advantages include the presence of a special compartment for a smart card and a USB port. This allows you to maintain a great appearance and avoid problems with accessing the smart card or connecting external media.

The front panel is equipped with a digital display, which is especially convenient when listening to music channels. When turned off, the screen acts as a clock. The rear panel is the richest among the tested models. It has everything that an ordinary subscriber might need.

The menu is very similar to the interface of the Opentech model. Although, subjectively, we liked the latter more. The program schedule is also made according to NTV-Plus standards. But for some reason the search by genre failed and did not find the required programs.

Small flaws sometimes lead to confusion. So, when choosing an audio track, one of them cannot be distinguished from another.

Why do you need a hybrid receiver?

Such viewing will be of interest to residents of large cities, for quite natural reasons:

The buildings are so dense that the signal is unable to get through to the antenna.
Installation of plates on the facade of the house is prohibited, or there is a limit on their number.

With the new set-top box, everyone can easily use all the capabilities of satellite television and watch their favorite films and TV shows without restrictions.

All you need is:

access to wireless or cable Internet;
Call a specialist to connect the necessary equipment.

"NTV-Plus VA1020"

This new generation receiver joined the NTV-Plus equipment line at the end of 2021. The appearance of the model does not hint at anything unusual. The design shows the family features of “NTV-Plus 1 HD VA”: the same rounded body, seven-segment display. True, the conditional access card is inserted from the side, but this does not spoil the appearance, since it is completely hidden in the receiver body, which has large recesses for its removal. There are also markings to show you how to properly insert the smart card into the slot.

The back panel is very rich in terms of interfaces. The only thing missing is a satellite output. The manufacturer took care of high-quality warranty service, prohibiting opening the set-top box. For this purpose, a protective mark is glued to the body. The receiver indicates that it is turned on with a green LED, and the display shows the channel number or clock. First of all, the set-top box tries to find a satellite signal and offers to install the latest update. If the signal is not received, you need to check for passive equipment that may cause interference.

The menu is reminiscent of the tiled interface of Windows 10. All navigation is designed to be controlled by five buttons. Users accustomed to NTV-Plus receivers will have to get used to both the new menu and the format for providing information on the screen.

The VA1020 is a hybrid set-top box, that is, it simultaneously connects to the satellite and the Internet (via an Ethernet cable or via Wi-Fi). This allows, in addition to linear television viewing, the use of OTT services. In the online cinema, subscribers can choose and immediately watch the movie they like. To do this, you need to have a paid NTV-Plus subscription and activate. Content is delivered over the Internet. Of course, all films are divided into categories. The operator’s partner is Ivi.ru LLC (ivi online cinema), so you can count on the quality and variety of content.

Many channels have access to a program archive. This is very convenient for people who work or are often busy, but still want to watch their favorite series or TV show. The depth (storage time) of the archive is different for different programs. For example, we were able to find programs with an archive depth of 7 days.

The functions Timeshift, pause, rewind, delayed viewing are also included in the interactive ones; they work without connecting a hard drive and, more importantly, without formatting it.

Of course, the receiver contains interesting ideas. A product of this class is new for the operator, and therefore there are some shortcomings. However, regularly released updates make it clear that NTV-Plus is seriously concerned about the development of the receiver.

What could the developer borrow from more advanced analogues? First of all, the use of two operating systems. Let one of them - Linux - be responsible for satellite reception, and the second - Android - be used to launch user applications, including an online cinema. Technologies for delimiting access to memory have been tested for a long time, so all that remains is to apply them correctly. Even if NTV-Plus leaves only its own application store, it can be easily filled with ported programs.

Another aspect of the functioning of the set-top box is easy to solve right now. To work with Internet broadcasts, the receiver needs to log in to the OTT service provider’s server using the subscriber’s data. at the same time, for some reason, the possibility of connecting a second similar set-top box (say, in another room) under the same contract remained unrealized. Such a simple solution would make it possible to organize a multiroom service on existing equipment. I would also really like the receiver to be able to receive content from a mobile device. This can be implemented through a separate application for Android/iOS. Well, if the set-top box is called interactive, then let it notify the user when an event of interest to him will be broadcast. Let's say a user wants to watch the movie "Guardians of the Galaxy 2", and it would be nice for the set-top box to tell him when it will be on the channels included in the subscription.

Purpose of the hybrid set-top box

A nick generator

The hybrid set-top box is designed for watching TV channels using the following functions:

postponement of viewing;
rewind;
pause.

The interactive set-top box provides access to a huge online library of films, TV series and programs, which will be expanded with content on different topics and genres.

The set-top box can be configured individually, create a section (favorites) and turn on the desired channel with one click. You can choose the topics of the programs yourself, order films to watch, join promotions, and pay for services directly through the menu on the screen.